About our school

Holly Park is a larger than average school situated in Friern Barnet. Initially built as a small junior school in 1908, our school has grown into a two form entry school with over 500 pupils.

Although we do not seem to have a particularly large site, our grounds are used well, and we have lots of space. We have grassy areas, hard surface playgrounds and an all weather sports area. We have three playground areas – one for the Early Years (Nursery and Reception); one for the Infants (Years 1 and 2); and one for the Juniors (Years 3, 4, 5 and 6). We also have an allotment and a wild area.

The school buildings reflect the history of the school and have been built at different times. The oldest part of the school dates back to 1908, while the newest part was opened in 2001. We have a hall and a dining hall, and some larger shared areas. Each classroom has an interactive whiteboard for the teachers to use, and we have four trolleys of laptops which are shared by Years 1-6. Early Years have their own lap tops and we also have 32 iPads.

Our school serves a suburban residential area, with good transport links to central London. A wide number of cultures, faiths and ethnic groups are represented here, and this is a distinctive strength of the school.

Holly Park School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to two satisfactory references and a satisfactory enhanced DBS check.

General Information about Holly Park

Times of the School Day

School starts at 8.55am each day.

Children should be in the playground by 8.50am to ensure they are not late. Reception children should wait by the outside area gates for the staff to welcome them in. In all other classes children should line up and wait for their teacher to collect them.

If it is raining at the start of the day, children can wait in their classroom where staff will supervise them. Children who arrive late for school must go to the school office to sign in.

School ends at 3.30pm each day.

Please try to avoid being late as even a few minutes can be distressing for a child. If you know that you will be delayed, please telephone the school office on 020 8368 1434, to inform them of your expected arrival time.

The school day begins at 8.55am and children should be lined up by then ready to go into class. Parents should be aware that unauthorised lateness can lead to a fixed penalty notice. Six unauthorised lates in a four week period can trigger the issue of a fixed penalty notice.

If someone different than usual will be collecting your child, please tell the class teacher. We should always know the name of the person who will be collecting your child/ren.

Please note that children should always be collected by an adult. Only children in Year 6 may walk home alone if written permission is given to the school.

The school day (not Nursery)

School starts 8.55

Morning break 10.35 – 10.55

Lunch (Reception) 11.40 – 1.00

Lunch (Infants) 12.00 – 1.20

Lunch (Juniors) 12.00 – 1.00

Afternoon break 2.20 – 2.30

School day ends 3.30

School Uniform

Please make sure your child wears the correct school uniform every day, and it is clearly named so we can reunite lost items with their owners.

P.E. kit should be kept in school all week in case of changes to the timetable.

Items with the school logo are available from Braggs School Outfitters in North Finchley. Their address is 341 Ballards Lane, North Finchley, London N12 8LJ. Tel: 020 8445 3945

If your child is ill, please telephone the school office on 020 8368 1434 by 9.30am on the first day of absence to inform us. On their return you should send in a note explaining the reason for absence. Children who have had sickness or stomach upsets should be clear of symptoms for 24 hours before returning to school.

Wherever possible, please avoid making medical and other appointments during the school day, as it disrupts the work planned for your child.

Medicines

If your child requires medicine, such as an asthma inhaler or antibiotics, this should be given to the pupil support officer and be clearly named.

You will need to complete a permission to administer medicine form. We regret that medicines cannot be given to your child unless it has been prescribed by their doctor.

Lunch

There are two choices at lunchtime.

School Lunch

School lunches are cooked freshly on the premises each day. There is a choice of meal, which includes a vegetarian option and a salad bar.

School dinner is payable in advance either weekly or half termly. The cost is currently £10.75 per child, per week. Cash or cheques should be sent to school in an envelope clearly marked with the child’s name and class or you can pay by Parent Pay Online.

The school menu works on a four week rotation. Here is the latest menu of meals which are prepared on the premises: Menu

Packed Lunch

Alternatively children may bring a packed lunch from home. This should be in a named lunch box and include a drink. Children may not bring crisps, chocolate bars or fizzy drinks. Any items containing nuts are not allowed (including peanut butter) as we have many children in the school with severe allergies to all nut products.